Hernando digest

Another fuel spill at Hernando Beach

HERNANDO BEACH -- For the third time in two weeks, officials have reported a fuel spill at Hernando Beach. Roy Link, supervisor of parks/waterways maintenance for the county, said about 2 gallons of diesel fuel were found in a canal off Gulfview Drive on Tuesday evening. Reported at 6:50 p.m., the spill measured 20 by 50 feet and disappeared with the tide, according to county officials. Link called the incident "suspicious," citing two previous spills discovered nearby in the past two weeks. The earlier spills were found in a canal off Flamingo Boulevard. One was identified as 4 gallons of hydraulic oil, while the other was identified as 2.5 gallons of motor oil, Link said. He added that it is not known whether the spills are related and said the Coast Guard was investigating. "We still don't know where it came from," Link said Wednesday. "Unless it's pumping out the bilge or running down the side of the vessel, it's hard to point fingers."